Well here we are! Another year is coming to an end, and I can fairly say 2015 has been a rollercoaster for the horror film. We’ve had some hits and misses as so it seems. For every great film, such as The Final Girls or Krampus, we get a pile of stinkers as well. Like the box of farts labeled as The Human Centipede 3 or The Lazarus Effect. I suppose they can’t all be winners right? In a perfect world, my horror minions. In a perfect world.
With 2016 rearing its head around the corner, as far as the horror genre goes I’m optimistic about the upcoming year in cinema. With the return of some familiar faces to the slasher film, nostalgic franchises and most importantly the fresh and original horror movie; I’d say we, as horror buffs have much to look forward to! So let’s take a gander at what the year of the monkey has in store for us!
1. Leatherface
Release date: TBH
A short 2 months prior, we brought you the breaking news that Leatherface was coming back for a prequel to the original 1974 classic. While the release date hasn’t been announced quite yet, the directors of the film ensure us that it will be released in early 2016.
Directed by: Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo
Starring: Stephen Dorff, Vanessa Grasse and Lili Taylor
2. The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist
Release date: June 10th, 2016
Based on the strange and intriguing paranormal investigations surrounding the Warrens, we recently learned The Conjuring 2 will take place in the glorious decade of the 70’s and somehow intertwine The Amityville murders into the film. As a fan from the first film, I’m looking forward to see where this one goes. Hell, anything is better than Annabelle.
Directed by: James Wan
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, and Frances O’Connor
3. Jeepers Creepers 3
Release Date: TBH
While the word is that indeed Jeepers Creepers 3 will start production and they are presumably aiming for a release date as of late next year, this film has given us the run around for so long that I’m not holding my breath for it (just in case). However! We know for a fact it’s coming our way, whether it’s sooner or a little later and we will include this as a “Don’t mess with us and get this shit out as promised.” With Salva back in the director’s chair and legendary Francis Ford Coppola producing, the creeper makes a triumphant return after 12 long years.
Directed by: Victor Salva
Starring: Jonathan Breck and Brandon Smith
4. Rob Zombie’s 31
Release Date: January 23, 2016
With all the recent chatter of how this movie has failed twice at getting an R rating, ( currently rated NC-17) it’s hard to say whether this slated date will change or not. With cutting it so close, I can say for certainty however, that Zombie is working overtime to get this released on time. Or you know, you can just get it on VOD with the rating now. I sure as shit wouldn’t mind the unrated version as my first glimpse into this bizarre film!
Directed by: Rob Zombie
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Sheri Moon Zombie and Meg Foster
5. The Boy
Release Date: January 22, 2016
Everyone loves a killer doll movie right? Well if you don’t then just skip over this entirely. The Boy is the second horror spectacle of the year debuting in just a few short weeks just a day shy of above mentioned 31. Starring the beautiful Lauren Cohan of The Walking Dead, as a nanny caring for a rich couple’s doll whom they refer to as “their son”. Yes. A doll requires a nanny. At least this one anyway!
Directed by: William Brent Bell
Starring: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, and Ben Robsen
6. The Forest
Release Date: January 8, 2016
In the long tradition, and as you can see from previous entries here, January is somehow THEE month to release horror films. The Forest kicks off the 2016 horror genre next week with a theatrical release. The film which is inspired from Japan’s real-life Aokigahara Forest ( where many have committed suicide) and follows a young American girl in search of her twin sister.
Directed by: Jason Zada
Starring: Natalie Dormer,Taylor Kinney, Eoin Macken, and Yukiyoshi Ozawa
7. Amityville: The Awakening
Release Date: April 15, 2016
The infamous house in Amityville returns for another film next year with a fresh new family to torture. People will never learn will they? Anyway, The Awakening, believe it or not, is the FOURTEENTH installment to the classic saga; and in which case should be a better film in regards to previous attempts with Blumhouse behind the movie.
Directed by: Frank Khalfoun
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bella Thorne and Cameron Monaghan
8. Pride, Prejudice and Zombies
Release Date: February 5, 2016
The immensely anticipated film derived from the best-selling novel is almost finally here and I for one, could not be more excited. The infamous tale of lovers brought up in different social status comes with a twist of the undead is sure to be an instant classic for both fans of the book and zombie lovers all around.
Directed by: Burr Steers
Starring: Lily James, Lena Headey and Charles Dance
9. Rings
Release Date: April 1, 2016
Samara, that dead eyed youngling, is back in the third film of the saga entitled Rings. Originally slated to be released this year, Rings was pushed back for a later date. The film is set to take place 13 years after the original Americanized version of the movie.
Director: F. Javier Gutierrez
Starring: Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, and Johnny Galecki
10. The Purge 3
Release Date: July 1, 2016
The second sequel to the original hit of the 2013 thriller is back to terrorize and gives the right to purge to the citizens of America. The Purge 3 is said to directly follow events from the second film in is what to be the upcoming trilogy of the series.
Directed by: James DeMonaco
Starring: Elizabeth Mitchell, Frank Grillo and Mykelti Williamson
Which one of these up and coming horror films are you most excited about? Discuss and Happy New Year fellow horror fiends!
